Donegal Crime Prevention Officer cautions students on accommodation rental scams

Young people and their families seeking student accommodation are advised to be extra vigilant, especially with panic setting in as people take up their CAO offers.

Garda Crime Prevention Officer for County Donegal, Sergeant Fergus McGroary says: “In view of the CAO offers coming out and the anticipation that students will be seeking accommodation for Third Level colleges in the coming weeks, we wish to raise awareness of warning signs in relation to accommodation fraud and rental fraud to help mitigate against students becoming the victims of these types of scams.”

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Sergeant McGroary is urging people to follow this advice:

-Only use recognised letting agencies or deal with people who are bona fide and trusted.

-Do not enter into off site communications with advertisers or lower cash prices.

-Ensure the website is real and not cloned – Check the URL, the privacy and refund policies and look for the trust seals.

-Know your consumer rights.

-Beware of social media advertisements offering accommodation.

-Beware of unsolicited contacts and offers on “One Time Offers” for accommodation.

– Ideally, all properties offered for rent should be registered on the Residential Tenancies Board.

– If a property is advertised on a social media page, check the profile of the advertiser and check any other listings that the advertiser has created.

-Get a tenancy agreement and satisfy yourself that it is appropriately written.

-Verify that the keys you are given work properly before handing over any money.

-Do not advertise yourself looking for accommodation. This is an invitation for fraudsters.

-Never give personal, financial or security information to any person who is unknown to you.

-Link in with the Student’s Union of whichever third level college you have been accepted to. They will be able to offer advice on available accommodation locally.

-If you believe that an advertiser or a website is fraudulent or that you have become the victim of a scam, always report this to the Gardaí and to your bank or other financial institution.

-Visit www.rtb.ie rent index guide which provides students with important benchmark information and is an authoritative guide as to the actual rents being charged by landlords

-Always remember the old saying that if something “Seems Too Good To Be True, It Possibly Is Too Good To Be True”

-Be wary if a property is offered with no questions being asked and payment is requested before signing a lease.

-Be wary if the advertiser will only communicate with you via social media.

– Be wary if you are being asked to pay money via a non-bank transfer (e.g. via a wire transfer, via crypto currency or cash up front).

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Sgt MrGroary adds: My advice is to trust your instinct and do your research thoroughly before committing funds to anyone.

“As I have said already, if you believe that you are the victim of a fraud or that you believe that someone is attempting to gain money from you by pressurising you into payment with a sense of urgency, report this matter to the nearest Garda Station. It might prevent others from becoming a victim of a similar scam.”

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